Abstract: The present invention provides a process for reduction of time in gas-carburizing process and cooling apparatus to perform carburization by step heating of a part during carburizing heating from 800° C., 850° C., 900° C. onwards to a carburization temperature of 930° C. with the part being held at each mentioned temperature for 10 minutes by adding LPG or propane along with methanol in the furnace for activation/diffusion, the holding time is thereby reduced for carburization, thereafter the carburized parts are quenched in the invented apparatus to discharge high severity of quenching.

Abstract: A method and measurement system for the control of an active charge surface in a low pressure carburizing process can avoid formation of by-products and achieve regular carburized layers. This can be achieved through sampling of outlet gas at a specified time and comparison with experimentally set model characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the heat treatment of workpieces in a heat treatment furnace, wherein the treatment atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace is circulated. According to the invention, a propellant is injected into the heat treatment furnace in such a manner that the treatment atmosphere is essentially circulated by the injected propellant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for protecting metal surfaces in oil & gas exploration and production, refinery and petrochemical process applications subject to solid particulate erosion at temperatures of up to 1000° C. The method includes the step of providing the metal surfaces in such applications with a hot erosion resistant cermet lining or insert, wherein the cermet lining or insert includes a) about 30 to about 95 vol % of a ceramic phase, and b) a metal binder phase, wherein the cermet lining or insert has a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0 and a K1C fracture toughness of at least 7.0 MPa-m1/2. The metal surfaces may also be provided with a hot erosion resistant cermet coating having a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for protecting metal surfaces in oil & gas exploration and production, refinery and petrochemical process applications subject to solid particulate erosion at temperatures of up to 1000° C. The method includes the step of providing the metal surfaces in such applications with a hot erosion resistant cermet lining or insert, wherein the cermet lining or insert includes a) about 30 to about 95 vol % of a ceramic phase, and b) a metal binder phase, wherein the cermet lining or insert has a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0 and a K1C fracture toughness of at least 7.0 MPa-m1/2. The metal surfaces may also be provided with a hot erosion resistant cermet coating having a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0.

Abstract: A method for producing a torque transmission device such as a fixed constant velocity ball joint constructed as an opposed track joint in which the curvatures bases of the tracks of the joint deviate in their axial course from the curvatures of the ball contact lines. The method is characterized in that prior to the formation of a longitudinal profile of a joint component, the component is brought to an increased hardness by a hardening process and a diffusion layer is partially or completely removed in the region of the longitudinal profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, having a body containing metallic material, preferably iron. For controlling the degradation of the implant the method includes the following steps: (a) providing a first part of the implant body; and (b) performing heat treatment which alters the carbon content and/or the boron content and/or the nitrogen content in the structure of a near-surface boundary layer in the first part of the implant body in such a way that strain on the lattice or a lattice transformation, optionally following a subsequent mechanical load, is achieved in the near-surface boundary layer. Such an implant is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the low-pressure carburisation of metal workpieces in an evacuable furnace, in which acetylene is added to the furnace atmosphere as the carburisation gas, wherein the partial pressure of the acetylene is varied intermittently and wherein the partial pressure of the acetylene in the furnace atmosphere is kept below 10 mbar. In order to specify a process for the low-pressure carburisation of metal workpieces that leads to an improvement, particularly with regard to the carburisation result, the invention proposes the use of a pot furnace as the furnace.

Abstract: Low temperature carburization of stainless steel using acetylene as the carburizing specie is carried out under soft vacuum conditions in the presence of hydrogen or other companion gas. As a result, formation of soot and the undesirable thermal oxide film that normally occurs during low temperature carburization is eliminated virtually completely.

Abstract: A process by which a nickel-based superalloy substrate prone to deleterious reactions with an aluminum-rich coating can be stabilized by carburization. The process generally entails processing the surface of the substrate to be substantially free of oxides, heating the substrate in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to a carburization temperature, and then contacting the surface of the substrate with a carburization gas mixture comprising a diluted low activity hydrocarbon gas while maintaining the substrate at the carburization temperature. While at the carburization temperature and contacted by the carburization gas, carbon atoms in the carburization gas dissociate therefrom, transfer onto the surface of the substrate, diffuse into the substrate, and react with refractory metals within the substrate to form refractory metal carbides within a carburized region beneath the surface of the substrate. The substrate is then cooled in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to terminate carbide formation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a protective coating comprising contacting a carbon material with a metal surface, heating the carbon material and metal to allow at least a portion of the carbon material to dissolve in the metal, diffuse across a portion of the metal surface, or a combination thereof, and then cooling the metal and carbon material to form a metal having a protecting carbon coating disposed on a surface thereof, wherein the protective coating comprises graphene, multi-layer graphene, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are a method for inhibiting corrosion comprising forming a layer of graphene on at least a portion of a metal surface; a metal having a surface, wherein at least a portion of the surface comprises a protective carbon coating comprising graphene, multi-layer graphene, or a combination thereof; and a passivation coating comprising a graphene, multi-layer graphene, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Low temperature carburization of a workpiece surface is accomplished faster by impregnating the surface with a diffusion promoter prior to or during the low temperature carburization process.

Abstract: A medical needle and the like that has small resistance when piercing, scraping or incising the body tissue, that is not easily bent and that reduces the reflection of the illumination as much as possible when in surgery performed under scope is provided. The medical needle and the like has a hardened layer, in which a carbon atom is penetrated, of a depth of 5 micrometers to 70 micrometers provided on a parent material surface of a fiber shape structure having an austenite stainless steel containing 1% to 6% of molybdenum or 13% to 25% of chromium. Further, after the hardened layer is provided, one part of the hardened layer is removed. Further, the dark layer is formed on the outer most surface of the hardened layer to provide a non-reflective surface.

Abstract: “PROCESS TO MANUFACTURE SHAFT AND GUIDE PINS AS USED FOR PLANETARY SYSTEMS”, the present invention refers to the technical field of automotive parts, more specifically to a process to manufacture a shaft (1) and guide pins (2) as used for planetary systems, which purpose is to improve the strength, durability and to reduce the costs of final products.

Abstract: A nickel powder exhibits superior oxidation behavior, reduction behavior and sintering behavior in a production process for a multilayer ceramic capacitor and is suitable for the capacitor; a production method therefor is also provided. The nickel powder, which may be used as a raw material, is treated with a sulfur-containing compound, and the sulfur-containing compound is coated on the surface thereof, or alternatively, a nickel-sulfur compound layer is formed on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A method and a device for the heat treatment of metal materials in an industrial furnace involves a heating chamber having a treatment chamber and a quenching chamber utilizing inert gas and reaction gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of gas carburizing a metallic article, where at least the surface region of the article consists of an alloy with a chromium content of at least 10 wt %. The carburizing is carried out by means of a gas containing carbon, which gas is heated to a temperature below approximately 5500C. The gas is an un-saturated hydrocarbon gas.

Abstract: A method of forming metal parts or components from strip stock or roll stock without yielding is accomplished by first placing the part/components into fixtures that hold the stock in a non-yielding position therein. The fixture and metal stock parts are placed in a liquid, gas, or pack carburizing heat treatment process. Once the carburization process is complete, the part is released from the fixture with little or no spring back, maintaining the shape it was held in while in the fixture, resisting returning to its original shape, and optionally imparting spring-like qualities not associated with the stock before treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides for titanium oxide-based photocatalysts having a general formula of TiO2-X-?CXN? and self-cleaning materials that are prepared by substituting O of pure TiO2 with C and N. A preparation method comprising a process for forming thin films of TiO2-X-?CXN? by using gases such as Ar, N2, CO2, CO and O are used for reactive sputtering, and a process of heat treating at around 500° C., thereby crystallizing, is provided. The titanium oxide-based photocatalysts having a general formula of TiO2-X-?CXN? and self-cleaning materials according to the present invention have a smaller optical bandgap compared to pure titanium oxides, and therefore, the photocatalysts can be activated under the visible light range. In addition, they comprise only pure anatase crystallization phase, and since the crystallized particles are small in size, the efficiency and self-cleaning effect of the photocatalysts are very high.

Abstract: An article and method for stabilization of a nickel-based superalloy coated with a diffusion aluminide coating. The region below the aluminide coating is first carburized to form refractory carbides. The article is cleaned and masked as required so that regions that will not have an aluminide coating are not carburized. After placing the article into a furnace and heating in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to a carburizing temperature, a carburizing gas is introduced, and the near surface region is carburized to a depth of about 100 microns. Refractory carbides are formed in this region. When a diffusion aluminide coating is formed on the article, the refractory elements, being present as refractory carbides, are not available to form detrimental TCP phases.

Abstract: A method for producing a substrate having a carbon-doped titanium oxide layer, which is excellent in durability (high hardness, scratch resistance, wear resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance) and functions as a visible light responding photocatalyst, is provided. The surface of a substrate, which has at least a surface layer comprising titanium, a titanium alloy, a titanium alloy oxide, or titanium oxide, is heat-treated in a combustion gas atmosphere of a gas consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon, or in a gas atmosphere consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon, such that the surface temperature of the substrate is 900 to 1,500° C.; or a combustion flame of a gas consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon, is directly struck against the surface of the substrate for heat treatment such that the surface temperature of the substrate is 900 to 1,500° C., thereby forming a carbon-doped titanium oxide layer, whereby the substrate having the carbon-doped titanium oxide layer is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a metal body which can turn a metal structure of the metal body into a finer grain structure thus obtaining the high strength and the high ductility. In a method or an apparatus for processing a metal body which turns the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure by forming a low deformation resistance region where the deformation resistance is locally lowered in the metal body and by deforming the low deformation resistance region by shearing, using a non-low deformation resistance region forming means which forms a non-low deformation resistance region by increasing the deformation resistance which is lowered in the low deformation resistance region, the non-low deformation resistance region is formed along the low deformation resistance region.

Abstract: A method for surface treating a titanium gas turbine engine component. The method includes providing a gas turbine engine component having a titanium-containing surface. The component is heated to a temperature sufficient to diffuse carbon into the titanium and below 1000° F. The surface is contacted with a carbon-containing gas to diffuse carbon into the surface to form carbides. Thereafter, the carbide-containing surface is coated with a lubricant comprising a binder and a friction modifier. The binder preferably including titanium oxide and the friction modifier preferably including tungsten disulfide. The coefficient of friction between the surface and another titanium-containing surface is less than about 0.6 in high altitude atmospheres.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carburizing method that involves heating a steel component quickly to a relatively high carburizing temperature (e.g. 1900 degrees F. and above), contacting the component at the relatively high carburizing temperature with a methane-containing carburization atmosphere for time to form a carbon-enriched surface case on the component, and cooling the component at a relatively slow rate effective to provide a relatively soft martensite-free surface case on the component. The component then is subjected to a hardening treatment wherein the carburized component is heated to a hardening temperature in the austenitic range followed by quenching and tempering to form a tempered martensitic surface case on an underlying non-martenistic core.

Abstract: A method and measurement system for the control of an active charge surface in a low pressure carburizing process can avoid formation of by-products and achieve regular carburized layers. This can be achieved through sampling of outlet gas at a specified time and comparison with experimentally set model characteristics.

Abstract: Cermets, particularly composition gradient cermets can be prepared starting with suitable bulk metal alloys by a reactive heat treatment process involving a reactive environment selected from the group consisting of reactive carbon, reactive nitrogen, reactive boron, reactive oxygen and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for diffusing titanium and nitride into a base material having a coating thereon using conventional surface treatments or coatings. The method generally includes the steps of providing a base material having a coating thereon; providing a salt bath which includes sodium dioxide and a salt selected from the group consisting of sodium cyanate and potassium cyanate; dispersing metallic titanium formed by electrolysis of a titanium compound in the bath; heating the salt bath to a temperature ranging from about 430° C. to about 670° C.; and soaking the base material in the salt bath for a time of from about 10 minutes to about 24 hours. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, titanium and nitride may be diffused into a base material without a coating. The treated base material may further be treated with conventional surface treatments or coatings.

Abstract: Cermets, particularly composition gradient cermets can be prepared starting with suitable bulk metal alloys by a reactive heat treatment process involving a reactive environment selected from the group consisting of reactive carbon, reactive nitrogen, reactive boron, reactive oxygen and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of oxygen-free heat treatment of a steel part in an atmospheric pressure furnace is disclosed. The present batch treatment process employs an oxygen-free controlled gas atmosphere including hydrogen gas in concentrations between about 1.0 percent to 10.0 percent, a hydrocarbon gas, such as propylene, in concentrations of between about 0.1 percent and 10.0 percent that varies as a function of time, with the balance of the gas atmosphere being nitrogen. The present continuous furnace treatment process employs a plurality of zones with each zone including an oxygen-free controlled gas atmosphere including hydrogen gas in concentrations between about 1.0 percent to 10.0 percent that varies across the different zones, a hydrocarbon gas, such as propylene, in concentrations of between about 0.1 percent and 10.0 percent that varies across the different zones, with the balance of the gas atmosphere within each zone being nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new composition and medical implant made therefrom, the composition comprising a thick diffusion hardened zone, and preferably further comprising a ceramic layer. The present invention relates to orthopedic implants comprising the new composition, methods of making the new composition, and methods of making orthopedic implants comprising the new composition.

Abstract: A metal member is produced with enhanced corrosion resistance by salt bath nitriding. Specifically, in a nitriding salt bath containing Li+, Na+ and K+ ions as cation components and CNO? and CO3?? ions as anion components and enhanced in oxidizing power by addition of an oxidizing-power-enhancing substance selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, bound water, free water and moist air, the metal member is immersed such that an nitrided layer is formed on a surface of the metal member and concurrently, an oxide film is formed on an outermost layer of the nitrided layer. As a subsequent step to the immersion in the nitriding salt bath, the metal member is immersed in a displacement cleansing salt bath which contains an alkali metal nitrate.

Abstract: A carburizing process for increasing the hardness of a case region of a steel component. In one form the application includes plating the outer surface of a stainless steel component with nickel prior to carburizing. One component includes a stainless steel object having a hardened case substantially free of continuous phase grain boundary carbides.

Abstract: A surface treatment method in which a surface of a part (7) is contacted with at least one activated species. The activated species is obtained by activating a gaseous medium containing at least two of the following elements: carbon, nitrogen, boron and oxygen. Preferably, the activated species is a neutral excited CN species. The activated species brings at least one interstitial element to the metal part (7) surface which is borne and maintained at a temperature enabling the interstitial element to be diffused into a surface layer of the metal part (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to components made of steel, more particularly outer joint parts and inner joint parts of constant velocity joints, and to a process of heat treating such components made of steel. The heat treatment operation includes the process stages of nitriding, induction surface layer hardening and tempering, which processes follow one another. As a result of the nitriding operation, the joint parts are provided with a surface layer (15) including nitrides and a diffusion layer (18) positioned thereunderneath. The subsequent induction hardening process causes the diffusion layer (18) to be hardened, so that it comprises good supporting characteristics for supporting the surface layer (15) positioned above same.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process and apparatus for producing high productivity carburizing. A process is introduced that uses a gas mixture made up of CO, H2, CO2, H2O, CH4 and N2, such that the product of the % CO and % H2 is greater than about 1600; the ratio of CO/CO2 is greater than 10; and the ratio of H2/H2O is greater than about 10. The gas mixture is controlled for a short time. A reactor for generating a gas mixture for carburizing steel is also introduced. This reactor is composed of a cylindrically symmetric body; a first central tube containing electrical heating elements for gas flow; a second central tube concentrically disposed around the first central tube; and a plurality of catalyst beds disposed in an annular space in a segmented fashion around the second central tube.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a metal strip for epitaxial coating with a biaxially textured layer, this metal strip, however, being able to be produced in an uncomplicated manner and having a high tensile strength, low magnetic losses and/or a high electrical conductivity. According to the invention, the metal strip is comprised of Nj, Cu, Ag or alloys thereof all serving as basic material, whereby the one-layer metal strip and, in the instance of a multilayer metal strip, at least one of its layers contains 10 nm to 5 ?m large, strength-increasing dispersoids comprised of carbides, borides, oxides and/or nitrides with a volume proportion ranging from 0.1 to 5%. In the instance of a multilayer metal strip, the layers form a composite, and at least one of the layers does not contain any dispersoids and has a biaxial texture. For the production, a starting material is used, which is comprised of Ni, Cu, Ag or of alloys thereof all serving as basic material and which contains 0.

Abstract: A continuously variable, conical disk transmission including a torque-transmitting member in the form of a plate-link chain or a thrust link band. The chain includes plate links that are interconnected by pairs of rocker members that extend transversely relative to the chain movement direction. The thrust link band includes a number of thrust links that are in face-to-back contact and that extend transversely relative to the band movement direction. Each of the rocker members and the thrust links have ends that contact surfaces of the conical disks of the transmission for transmitting torque between the sets of disks. The ends of the rocker members and of the thrust links have a carbon-nitrided outer layer having a thickness of at least about 50 &mgr;m for increased durability. The surfaces of the conical disks that are contacted by the chain or the thrust link band can also be similarly treated.

Abstract: A method is proposed for increasing the carbon-content dependent dynamic stability of a toothed structural part, particularly of a toothed wheel. A curve of the carbon content portion in an edge layer of the structural part is adjusted so that the carbon portion, departing form the surface in direction to a core of the structural part, at first increases and as of a certain depth of the layer continuously decreases. Part of the edge of the layer is removed in areas of the structural part whose dynamic stress capacity increases as the carbon content increases on the surface of the structural part.

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for manufacturing a syringe, which has a syringe body composed of glass and a hollow needle, for medical purposes, and is characterized by a laser beam generating device (3) having a laser generator (5) for producing a laser beam (9), a beam forming and/or guidance device (7), and by a holding device (17) for holding and positioning the syringe body (13).

Abstract: Ti alloy is embedded in a powder such as graphite and heated with the powder in an oxygen atmosphere. Oxygen atoms are diffused into the Ti alloy to form an oxygen diffusion layer of Ti—O solid solution, thereby increasing wear resistance of the valve. A poppet valve in an internal combustion engine may be made of such Ti alloy.

Abstract: A precision weight (1) has greater permanence of mass due to a hardened surface layer that provides greater wear and scratch resistance as well as greater corrosion resistance. The hardened surface layer is a diffusion layer of increased carbon and/or nitrogen concentration resulting from a heat treatment under gas atmosphere.

Abstract: An iron-containing workpiece is case hardened by low temperature carburization during which one or more process steps—including adjusting the carburization temperature, adjusting the concentration of carburization specie in the carburization gas and reactivating the surfaces to be carburized—is carried out to enhance the overall rate and uniformity of carburization with minimized soot generation, whereby carburization can be completed faster than possible in the past.

Abstract: A timing drive sprocket for a direct injection engine having excellent wear resistance, durability and quiet operation is produced by suppressing wear acceleration at the sprocket tooth surfaces resulting from deterioration of the engine oil, even in a direct injection engine of the kind in which the lubricating oil is likely to deteriorate rapidly. In the timing drive sprocket, a surface hardened layer is formed on at least a tooth surface of the sprocket by a carbonitriding and tempering treatment.

Abstract: Steel alloys susceptible to case and core hardening comprise 0.05 to 0.24 weight percent carbon; 15 to 28 weight percent cobalt and 1.5 to 9.5 weight percent in nickel, small percentages of one or more additives: chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium; and the balance iron. Carburized roll form and punch dies and tools made from case hardened steel alloys with a reduced hardness core provide high wear and fatigue resistance as well as improved contact and bending fatigue resistance thereby avoiding premature failure and extending the useful life of such tools.

Abstract: A nitrogen containing niobium powder is disclosed as well as electrolytic capacitors formed from the niobium powders. Methods to reduce DC leakage in a niobium anode are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for producing an atmosphere suitable for carburizing steel components by adding a small amount of oxygen to a mixture of natural gas and carbon dioxide, pre-heating the mixture to the desired reaction temperature in the presence of an inert material or a non-nickel-based catalyst that promotes the reaction between oxygen and natural gas without forming coke to avoid catalyst deactivation by coke formation, and reacting natural gas with carbon dioxide at high temperature in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A method is described for growing at least one silicon carbide (SiC) single crystal by sublimation of a SiC source material. Silicon, carbon and a SiC seed crystal are introduced into a growing chamber. Then, the SiC source material is produced from the silicon and the carbon in a synthesis step that takes place before the actual growing. The growing of the SiC single crystal is then carried out immediately after the synthesis step. The carbon used is a C powder with a mean grain diameter of greater than 10 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Metal nitride, carbonitride, and oxycarbonitride powder with high surface area (up to 150 m2/g) is prepared by using sol-gel process. The metal organic precursor, alkoxides or amides, is synthesized firstly. The metal organic precursor is modified by using unhydrolyzable organic ligands or templates. A wet gel is formed then by hydrolysis and condensation process. The solvent in the wet gel is then be removed supercritically to form porous amorphous hydroxide. This porous hydroxide materials is sintered to 725° C. under the ammonia flow and porous nitride powder is formed. The other way to obtain high surface area nitride, carbonitride, and oxycarbonitride powder is to pyrolyze polymerized templated metal amides aerogel in an inert atmosphere. The electrochemical capacitors are prepared by using sol-gel prepared nitride, carbonitride, and oxycarbonitride powder. Two methods are used to assemble the capacitors.

Abstract: The improved spherical plain bearing of the present invention is formed using a unique method of manufacture which includes surface hardening of the outer ring and the inner ring wherein the outer ring includes a fracture zone having a reduced cross-sectional area which allows the case hardening diffusion technique to penetrate much deeper into the ring fracture zone than in the other areas thereof. In this manner the reduced cross-section area of the outer ring provides a more brittle area with less of the more ductile interior steel which is more difficult to fracture. Such fracturing is necessary with such plain spherical bearings in order to allow placement of the inner ring within the outer ring. The spherical plain bearing produced by this method can include a single fracture or double fracture.

Abstract: The present invention generally describes methods for modifying MCrAlY coatings by using gaseous carburization, gaseous nitriding or gaseous carbonitriding. The modified MCrAlY coatings are useful in thermal barrier coating systems, which may be used in gas turbine engines.